Lithium induced histological alteration in testes of albino rats and theiramelioration with vitamin E

Objective: To evaluate the lithium induced histological alteration in testes of albino rats and their amelioration by Vitamin E

Study Design: Experimental study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at department of Anatomy, Baqai Medical University, Karachi from July 2010 to August 2010

Materials and Methods: The rats were assigned into three experimental groups [eight rats/group]: control group, lithium group and lithium plus vitamin E treated group. Lithium [50 mg/kg/day] and vitamin E [50mg/kg/day] were given intraperitoneally for 21 days. At the end of experiment, rats were sacrificed and testes removed and processed for routine H and E. Slides were studied for histological examination under light microscope

Results: Lithium treated rats showed decreased body and testicular weights, spermatogenic cells such as primary and secondary spermatocytes and spermatids were decreased, very little spermatozoa were seen in lumen of seminiferous tubules, significant increase in tubular count observed while tubular diameter, germinal epithelial thickness, number and size of nuclei of leydig cells were highly significantly reduced. In lithium plus vitamin E treated group, body and testicular weight, primary and secondary spermatocytes, spermatids were restored near to control. Tubular lumen also showed many spermatozoa. Tubular diameter, germinal epithelial thickness, numberand size of nuclei of leydig cells were also returned tocontrol

Conclusion: Our study conclude that lithium causes detrimental effect on testicular morphology through oxidative stress and vitamin E provided protection through its antioxidative property

Prevalence and morphology of internal Jugular Venous valves

Background: Catheterization of the internal jugular vein [IJV] is common and used for several clinical procedures. Internal jugular venous valves are the only barrier between the heart and the brain. The presence and structure of these valves is variously described in the literature. The purpose of the current study was to explore the presence of IJV valves, their location and structure

Methods: Observations for the unilateral or bilateral presence or absence, exact location and number of cusps of the IJV valves were recorded by dissection on 62 formalin-fixed adult male and female cadavers

Results: IJV valves were found in 76.62% subjects. Most common of these valves were bicuspid [68.54%] while the least common were the tricuspid valves [0.80%]. Unicuspid valves [collectively 7.25%] were more common on the right side in the male while the same was true for the females on the left side. Only one tricuspid valve was observed on the right side in a female. Valves were mostly inferior to the clavicle [54.73%] followed by posterior [38.94%] while the least common position was superior [6.31%].In the male the commonest location was inferior to the clavicle [70.00%] followed by posterior [28.33%] while in the female the more common location was posterior [57.14%] followed by inferior [28.57%]: the difference was significant. Superior position in the male was the least common [01.66%] while being relatively more common in the female [14.28%]: the gender difference was statistically significant

Conclusion: The prevalence of internal jugular venous valves, their types and location are variable and probably reflect a genetic and racial attribute

Quadriceps Tendon and Patellar Ligament; a morphometric study

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament [ACL] is commonly injured especially in sportsmen. Autografts using tissue from various sources including the quadriceps tendon and patellar ligament are popular but still controversial due to varying degree of success. The morphological characteristics of the quadriceps tendon and the patellar ligament are of prime importance for this purpose

Objectives: This cadaveric study was undertaken to evaluate the morphometric characteristics of the quadriceps tendon and patellar ligament as an autograft for ACL reconstructive surgery

Study design: Qualitative cadaveric study

Material and Methods: The morphometric observations of the quadriceps tendon and patellar ligament on 36 [18 male and 18 female] adult formalin fixed cadavers were recorded by dissection. The observations included the length, breadth and thickness of the quadriceps tendon and the patellar ligament and were recorded on both sides separately in the male and female subjects. The data were tabulated, compared and statistically analyzed

Results: There was no significant difference in measurements on the right and left sides both in the male and in the female specimens. However the length and width of the quadriceps tendon was more in the males as compared to the females. The patellar ligament was significantly longer in the male specimens as was its width. Thickness of the patellar ligament, however, was not significantly different in the two genders

Conclusion: Both the quadriceps tendon and the patellar ligament are safe and convenient sources of autograft tissue for reconstruction of the ACL

Effects of Camellia sinensis L. [green tea] extract on the body and testicular weight changes in adult Wistar rats

This research was aimed to study the effects of oral administration of Camellia sinensis L. on the testicular and body weights of adult Wistar rats for short and long time periods. The adult Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups [A, B and C]. Every group had ten rats. Green tea extract 0.692% [w/v] was given to groups A and B on daily basis. The extracts were prepared fresh and given for a period of ten and thirty days, respectively, while distilled water was given to the group C rats only. The adult Wistar rats were sacrificed on eleventh and thirty-first day of experiment for the particular groups. The testes were dissected out cautiously, free from the supporter tissues and weighed to the adjacent 1 mg. There is no significant difference in the body weight in all 3 groups. Moreover, it was observed that Wistar rat's testicular weight was considerably increased in group B but no major changes were seen in group A. Our results indicated that green tea when given for short period of time may be effective to the testes but has no consequence on Wistar rat's body weight. However, it is indistinct if these alterations are reversible

Comparative study on neem leaf extract and nimolicin [NC] on gastric mucosa of albino rats

Compare the anti ulcer effect of Methanolic Neem [Azadirachta indica, A Juss, Meliaceae] Leaf Extract [NLE] and Neem compound Nimolicin on gastric mucosa of albino rats. Azadiradione also called Nimolicine coded as NC has been studied for its anti insect effect but anti ulcer effect has never been studied. Experimental study. This study was carried out at the Pharmacy and Physiology Department of Baqai Medical College for duration of two years. Gastric ulcers in albino rats were induced in group-1 [check group] by a single oral dose of 1 ml 100% ethanol. After 24 hours the treatment was started. Group-2 was treated with oral administration of pea nut oil 1 ml/day for 5 days [control of the treated group]. Group-3 was treated with NLE [1 ml/day for 5 days] and Group-4 with NC 1% [1 ml/day for 5 days]. The healing effects of neem were compared to oral administration of anti ulcer drugs ranitidine [50mg/kg daily for 5 days] and omeperazole [2.5 mg/kg daily for 10 days]. Histopathology of the stomach was performed to confirm the presence or healing of ulcers. Ulcers were scored and indexed on the basis of histopathology. Ranitidine had the highest ulcer inhibition of 84%. NLE proved to be better than omeperazole by showing an ulcer inhibition of 82 % compared to 73% ulcer inhibition of omeperazole. NC showed least anti ulcer activity with an ulcer inhibition of only 69%. HPLC was performed to show the tissue concentration of NC, omeparazole and ranitidine showing their retention time, area and concentration compared to their controls. It is concluded that NLE proved to be better anti ulcer agent as compared to NC and can be used as an anti ulcer drug after clinical trials

Acute amphotericin-B induced nephrotoxicity in albino rats

Nephrotoxicity is one of the major problems encountered during treatment with amphotericin B which is a potent broad spectrum antifungal drug used in systemic and deep fungal infections. The present study was undertaken to investigate the acute effect on the morphology of renal parenchyma when drug is administered in nephrotoxic doses in albino rats. A total of 20 albino rats of either sex were taken and divided into two groups. Group A as control and Group B received a single dose [10 mg/Kg] of intraperitoneal amphotericin B. The animals were sacrificed and their kidneys were subjected to detailed histological examination. The morphological features observed in the kidney of these two groups were analyzed and compared. The animals receiving 10 mg/Kg amphotericin B as a single dose showed flattering of the tubular epithelial cells with loss of proximal tubular brush borders and accumulation of lymphocytes in the cortical interstitium as compared to control group. The number of the proximal tubules as well as the tubular cell nuclear count was also decreased significally. It is suggested that, amphotericin B induced damage to renal cortical tissues is due to free radical injury which later caused direct cytotoxicity to renal epithelium

Relationship between smoking and serum ferritin levels

High serum lipid levels, smoking and lack of physical activity are recognized modifiable risk factors for atherosclerosis and coronary heart diseases. Serum ferritin, the stored form of iron provides free iron for oxidation of lipids. It is being investigated as a risk factor for cardiovascular and coronary heart diseases. To find out the relationship between modifiable risk factors serum ferritin and smoking. Material and 38 smokers and 56 nonsmokers, male aged 20 to 66 were selected by convenient method. Smokers were divided in three groups according to smoking strength. Serum ferritin was done by ELISA 1-step sandwich assay. Sample of blood was collected after 14 hours fasting and abstinence of smoking. Serum stored at 20°C for future analysis. Result: Mean serum ferritin in non-smokers was found to be 154 +/- 15.11 ng/ml and in smokers 237.7 +/- 39.89ng/ml, which is highly significant [P< 0.009]. Results were evaluated by SPSS 7.5 software. Smoking contains free radicals that result in oxidative stress, which increases ferritin synthesis

Relationship between physical activity and serum ferritin levels

Atherosclerosis, one of the most important events, is responsible for most of the coronary heart diseases and other cardiovascular diseases. Unfavorable lipid profile, smoking and lack of physical activity are well known risk factors. Serum ferritin, the stored form iron, provides free iron for lipidperoxidation and formation of foam cells of atheroma, is currently being listed as a new modifiable risk factor. To find out any relationship between serum ferritin and physical activity. Material And 45 physically active and 49 non-active, male aged 18 to 65 were selected by convenient sampling. Physically active subjects were divided into two groups, maximally active and moderately active. Blood sample was collected after 14 hours fasting and abstinence of smoking for the detection of serum ferritin by ELISA 1-step sandwich assay. The serum ferritin in physically non active subjects was found to be 205.5 +/- 18.2 ng/ml and in active subjects 168.4 +/- 26.56ng/ml which is weakly negative and non significant [P<0.246]. Became highly significant [P<0.003] when confounders were added. Results were evaluated on SPSS 7.5 Physical activity decreases the serum ferritin. Moderate physical activities are more important in lowering of serum ferritin than heavy

Protective effect of vitamin E against nicotine induced morphological changes in rat testis

To evaluate the protective effect of vitamin-E against nicotine induced toxicity in the testis of rats. Design: Experimental study of rat testis. Setting: Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi. Subjects: Thirty male adult albino rats were divided in three equal groups, i.e. Normal Control group [A], nicotine- treated - group [B] and vitamin E plus nicotine treated group[C]. Vitamin-E was given as 10mg/ animal, while nicotine as 1 mg/kg, intraperitoneally for 19 days. On completion of treatment all the animals were sacrificed. Their testis were removed and processed for paraffin embedding and stained with H and E and PAS. Simultaneous administration of vitamin-E and nicotine showed protective effect of vitamin E against the nicotine induced toxicity, with a highly significant [P < 0.001] increase in the count and diameter of seminiferous tubules and the thickness of germinal epithelium also the number of interstitial cell nuclei. There was a significant [P < 0.01] increase in the diameter of interstitial cell nuclei in comparison with the toxic changes produced by nicotine. Nicotine induced toxicity may partially be prevented by simultaneous administration with vitamin 'E' in albino rats

Nicotine induced morphological changes in rat testis

To study the morphological changes in the testis of nicotine treated animals. Experimental study of rat testis. Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi. Twenty male adult albino rats were divided in two equal groups; normal control group [A] and experimental group [B]. In group B, nicotine [1 mg/kg] was injected intraperitoneally. Treatment with Nicotine showed an altered morphology of the rat testis with a significant [P < 0.005] decrease in the count and diameter of seminiferous tubules and also the diameter of interstitial cell nuclei was significantly decreased. There was a highly significant [P<0.001] decrease in the thickness of germinal epithelium and the number of interstitial cell nuclei when compared with that of control animals. On the basis of the results of present study, it is concluded that nicotine does produce its toxic effects on the germ cells and also on the male fertility